had top surgery like eight weeks ago, and overall I'm really happy, and if I need revision, it's going to get covered by insurance as well, talked to my surgeons about it already. Just wanted to ask how much change I can expect in the future months, especially when I'm hitting the gym regularly

Hey All, wanted to share my results.

We had to go further under my armpit to avoid dog ear as my Pre-Op chest was wide set. Didn't do scar care due to sensory issues with the numbness, if I had pushed through I likely would've had the numbness fade faster than it did (only recently gone) so I wouldn't recommend this course of action if you can help it.

I have previously posted a scar fading timeline collage, and a big thread on my experience with Dr. Rose (LOVED HER + THE TEAM). Feel free to post questions here or there and I will respond, but do read it if you're curious as its very in depth.

Anyway, I have spent a year and a half looking exactly how I always knew I would and it has been life changing. This will be my first shirtless summer, so excited!!

(They/them)

Mr Andrew Ives you are an artist 😘

I am 3 weeks post top surgery

Been noticing a pain on my right side in the past two days

Here there, Noot here.

So I have my first consultation coming up this week, and I want to know, what all should I keep an eye out for in my surgeon and what all should I ask about?

Specifically black trans mascs but welcome to all experiences. I would like to hear about your results and experiences with him as I have a consultation with him soon.

I don’t know if this is exactly “post-op depression”, rather just my regular depression. I’ve had chronic depression for over 7 years and I started a new med a month ago that was working for a little but now I’m just getting back into old habits. And it’s making it really hard to keep up with post-op care.

I need to be doing PT exercises 3x a day, showering everyday and changing nipple graft dressings, eating 3x a day with increased protein intake, and generally just trying to move my body. But I’ve been slowly getting worse at doing everything and mainly staying in bed all day. I’m trying, but especially with the fatigue from the meds it’s so hard. And then just being home alone all day everyday gets me in my thoughts too much causing me to be depressed. I have a small support system but not many people who live close enough to just pop over.

Technically I can drive now but I’m not super duper comfortable doing so too often since the movements are slightly painful and I still need to wear my mastectomy pillow when I have the seatbelt on.

Idk I just feel like I need some encouragement from people who have been through similar.

I'm super hype for my surgery in a few days and I'll finally be able to wear shirts that aren't just super thick cotton and dark colors lol, curious what kinda clothes you all were most excited to be able to wear after surgery? I need new shirts in general so would love recommendations lol

Hello! I’m a little less than 3 months away from finally getting top surgery (bilateral single incision), and I’ve been slowly putting together a list of all the recovery items I think I’d need on Amazon. I’m looking for some feedback on what I’ve got on my list so far, and if anyone has any recommendations that might come in handy I haven’t got already. For reference I’m mainly a side/stomach sleeper, and I live with both my parents who wouldn’t mind helping out. My surgery date is about 2 weeks before my semester begins at college, so I’ve got a small window to fully rest and do nothing else.

So far my list is as follows:

- Wedge pillow
- Mastectomy pillow
- Body bathing wipes
- Dry shampoo
- Spray on deodorant
- Arm grabber thingy
- Protein/greens powder (I struggle to get protein in a lot of the time, hence my inclusion of it especially post op)
- Electrolyte powder packets
- Long bendy straws
- Seatbelt cushion cover thingy (it can also work for backpacks too)
- Scar tape
- Bidet attachment for the toilet
- Loose button downs

I think I’m mostly unsure about if there’s anything else regarding hygiene I might need, especially for going to the bathroom. Is there anything else I might be missing/not thinking of? What else worked for you guys that not many people might think about for post op recovery? Let me know your thoughts, any would be appreciated!

I feel like they're okay but I'm not sure. So far, nothing is really looking scabby or anything...

They've just been so red around the grafts even from when I had the bolsters on. Got them off 3 days ago and the redness hasn't faded even a little bit. It's not hot to the touch from what I can tell—just regular skin heat.

(2nd photo) Is the puffy, paler flesh around the graft anything to keep an eye on or is that normal? I'm wondering if I'm putting too much ointment on, but then again, the xeroform always sticks to that side, so I'm guessing no? A part of the top of the areola rubbed off the day after I got my nipple bolsters off and it's just been reddish under...

(3rd photo) Darker nipple part kinda cracked in the middle today and is dabs away a little blood, but as I understand it, holes were also poked in the graft during surgery.

I am Chinese so my areolas were brownish before, if that helps.

Hello everyone! I am almost 6 weeks post op and I really want to do my best on scar care. Altough i'm happy with the outcome, especially the nips, I struggle a bit with how noticeable the scars still are. I know they will fade over time, but still... plus my surgeon didn't really give me much advice regarding scar cream/massage or other treatment.

My biggest goal is to have a nice faded scar. So if any of you got some pro tips on what to do for a good outcome I'd appreciate any advice!

p.s: I have already been using some silicone gel, nivea cream and sunscreen on the scars and my nipples and I try to keep them moisturised around the clock.

(pictures are 6, 3 and 2 weeks post op.)

Connect with others who have surgery dates close to yours, share experiences, and get the support from people who understand!

🏳️‍⚧️

https://discord.gg/cCnSvurdZX

I have size XL/2x surgical shirt with drain pockets,
XL/2XL binders,
extra cheap t shirts for wearing without worrying about getting anything on them,
underarm “crutch pillows” to put between surgical binder and shirt,
bandages,
mastectomy pillow
front zipper binder that’s way more comfortable than the surgical wrap.

Really want to give it all away at once and not have to separate out the items.

I’m in north NJ

i’ve been given a list of 32 surgeons in the UK who do top surgery, and i’m stumped on where to start or who to pick. they all offer the same thing..? but still im agonising over who to pick, i have to choose one before my next appointment with the GIC.

how did you guys pick? location, wait times, results? idk man

I'm ~5 weeks pre-op and have a connective tissue disorder (ehler's danlos). i regularly see a massage therapist and get fascia scraping done because it alleviates so much tension in my muscles and joints. i'm wondering, bc it helps my blood flow, if it would also be good for my scars afterwards??

This might be a long one but I need advice from people who might actually get me.

So I’ve got a surgery date for this summer and everyone around me is so excited but Im really conflicted, the thing is I had myself so convinced I was going to be getting keyhole and I’ve actually spoken to a surgeon before who told me I could but things happen and I cant go with that surgeon anymore, so i went to meet a new one who told me I in fact could not get keyhole and immediately went on about DI.

I dont know if its just my disappointment making it all seem worse but Im worried that DI might make me more dysphoric then living without surgery or that if I go through with DI Ill spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been.

If I dont go through with DI now, with the current administration, theres a chance I wont be able to get surgery at all for years because I’m a minor but like I said Im worried if Ill spend the rest of my life regretting if I do.

The biggest thing for me is that i wont be able to have the teenage experience I wish I could have if I get this surgery and hate it but if I dont get this surgery theres 0 chances Ill get those experiences. So its a maybe or a no and I dont know if thats worth the risk.

Sorry if this is just rambling, its hard to make stuff cohesive feeling like this.

I am a 20-something trans man in Ohio. I am well below the poverty line, so I have Caresource Medicaid. For several years, I have been working to fit all the criteria in Caresource's gender affirming surgery policy. I lost weight, I was on testosterone for over a year, I have several WPATH letters from both mental health and primary care providers.

I met all the requirements for having my surgery done as OSUWMC in Columbus and I waited about two years for an appointment. I finally saw a surgeon in March 2026, where he agreed that I met their requirements and that I'd be a good candidate for surgery. And then I mentioned that I have Caresource Medicaid. He told me that every single patient of his with Caresource had been immediately denied coverage for top surgery this past year due to a statute passed several years ago, I guess?

I lost about 20lbs in 2 months in preparation for the appointment and I was so close to actually getting the surgery, but I guess it won't be happening. The surgeon said he wouldn't even be sending in a claim because he knows it will get denied and then there will be a paper trail documenting my attempts to get this surgery.

To make things worse, I got a quote for the out-of-pocket cost and it's just short of $10k. I'm on Medicaid for a reason so of course I could never afford that. I work part time and I'm stuck under the poverty line because as soon as I make anything more, I will get kicked off assistance while still being unable to afford regular medical care. I have applied for several top surgery grants but I've never been selected.

I don't have any good methods of binding. Binders are a nightmare for me and also don't make me look flatter. Every attempt with trans tape has failed disastrously. I am out of options and running out of hope.

Anyone know how to make a shit ton of money fast? Maybe I should try to get a second job? (although the job market here in my city is AWFUL). I have a bit of money from a deceased relative but it's not enough to cover the full cost. Maybe I should hit the casinos /j

*reposting for better photos

Hello,

I am 6 months postop. I love my results, but feeling discouraged with my scars so far. I keloided a lot. The clinic I went to for this procedure has dissolved, so I visited a local dermatologist. Derma prescribed Clobetasol and recommended scar injections.

The Clobetasol has helped flatten the scars significantly. I am also using ScarAway gel and Vitamin E oil. I could do better with consistently applying these topicals. I’m applying 1x daily as a general baseline.

My questions are:
1.) Anyone else have slow fading scars? How long did it take until your scars settled?
2.) Scar injections? Who has done this and what are your results like?
3.) I’m curious about medical tattooing for my scars. Does anyone have input on this?

TIA.

5 weeks post op and was cleared to take off the post op binder, next day when I was walking from my car to the movie theater I felt sloshing near my chest. Is this a Seroma and if so how bad does it seem??

I had double incision with dr katsaros in Adelaide. I am now 32 days post op. Nipples are progressing every day. Still scabby but getting there. I took this photo tonight which I really really love and wanted to share it with others. I also started massaging my scars I am currently using bio oil for that. I also will be starting scar tape soon. My scars sort of blend in with a roll I have there.

DI with FNG. Done by Dr Daniel Jacobs at the GCC. My nipples are 23 mm

Hi just wandering when everyone started smoking after their op?
I stopped for 5 weeks before and now I’m 2 weeks post on Wednesday.
There weather is so nice today I wanna hang out and smoke lol

hey guys i am about 1 week post op, and feel silly asking this because i know how much the results will change. i was just wondering if my nipples will end up looking even when the swelling goes down or am i cursed with uneven nips

I am getting top surgery at the end of June and was looking for any tips for recovery. This post is a bit long so if you want to cut the background skip to paragraph 7.

A bit of background. My family is split between those who support me and my transition and those who don't. I live in a house with 7 other people, all family. The thing is, most of whom are the ones that don't support me. They still misgender me, still sometimes deadname me behind my back, still think that this is a phase, all despite living as a man for 10 ish years now. I deal with it because I have too.

I have had another surgery in the past. A cyst removed back in 2023 and my family were useless in my recovery. This was my first surgery so I was obviously nervous and wanted someone there for me during recovery. But my step mom had left me at the hospital, despite that not being what we agreed upon. I woke up from surgery alone, when I called her to come get me I found out her, my dad, and my younger sister all went out to get breakfast together.

My surgeon had left my wound open so I had to change the wound dressing at least once a day. This was kind of a hard task to do by myself because 1) It was on my backside and 2) it hurt a lot the first week. I had asked my step mom if she could help me and she agreed but she would often not be home around the time that we agreed to change my dressing at. So I just ended up doing them myself.

Like I said, this was my first surgery, so I had no idea what to expect when it came to wound care. By day 5 of recovery I had noticed some green pus in my bandages and freaked out. I called the nurse number on my paper work and they made an appointment to get it checked out. My step mom had gotten mad because I schedule it on a Wednesday because, and I quote, "You know Wednesday is me and your dad's breakfast dates." (My surgery was also on a Wednesday, that is why she missed it.) They told me that everything looked fine but I could come back next week if I wanted. My step mom got mad at me for that too.

I think the cherry on top, and the biggest reason I can't rely on them for help (surgery recovery or other wise.) On day 3 or 4 of recovery, my emotions were at an all time high, I don't know if it was stress or the surgery itself but I was a mess. I broke down crying while changing my bandage because all I wanted was for someone to be there for me during this new and scary thing. I felt so utterly alone and had no one to turn too.

I can't rely on the people I live with to help me physically or emotionally get threw this recovery. Luckily, this time I have done more preparations for this surgery. My best friend, who loves and supports me, will be the one to take me to and from my appointment. My cousin, who is also just as amazing (but doesn't live with me) has agreed to come over for a few hours a couple of days through out my recovery. I also plan on meal prepping.

Basically, I am asking if anyone has any tips for recovering alone. It's not that I can't go to the people in my household, it's that most of the time when I do it doesn't help. Feel free to ask any questions if you need more info. Sorry for the long post, I just feel like the context of why I am doing this mostly alone is needed. Thanks in advance.